ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Windsor, Market Rasen and Newcastle on Friday, January 16
After picking out a couple of winners on his debut, Sport News Blitz horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh returns.
ITV have offered up seven races this Friday afternoon, which is our pundit’s lucky number, and he is thus hoping for a magnificent seven.
F1 news: Red Bull and Racing Bulls to reveal their 2026 cars
Ford is hosting an event to showcase the F1 cars of sister teams Red Bull and Racing Bulls for the upcoming 2026 season, starting later this year in March.
For F1 fans, the event will be live streamed globally on YouTube by the official Red Bull account at 3am on Friday, January 16.
This launch will mark a significant moment for both teams as they showcase their new liveries and preparations for a season shaped by exciting regulation changes.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Lucy Armour outlines five reasons to look forward to the Red Bull and Racing Bulls liveries.
F1 news: Why Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26 seat fit could define 2026
Ferrari’s leap into the 2026 Formula 1 era comes with sweeping regulation changes and even bigger questions after a bruising season exposed fundamental weaknesses.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo examines why Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26 seat fit could become one of the most important early indicators of whether Ferrari’s reset is finally heading in the right direction.
NBA news: LeBron James’s agent faces backlash over Austin Reaves trade comments
What began as casual podcast speculation quickly turned into a real world NBA moment that exposed the fine line between media talk and locker room reality.
At the centre of it all was LeBron James’ longtime agent Rich Paul, Austin Reaves, one of the Lakers’ most important supporting players, and a trade idea that travelled far beyond its original context.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo analyses the controversy surrounding Paul’s comments on Reaves.
Neymar promises to score in the 2026 World Cup final: What are the chances?
Ever since he first stepped onto the biggest stage, Neymar Jr has kept people talking.
Even when results on the pitch have not gone his way, as has often been the case in recent years, he still stirs strong reactions, both from those who back him and from those who think he could, and should, have had a better career.
Most football fans know Neymar for the goals he scored for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
MMA analysis: Beautiful violence - An appreciation of Justin Gaethje
Professional fighters belong to a special breed of human, but even amongst the UFC roster, Justin Gaethje stands out.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ollie Hughes pens a love letter to arguably the most exciting fighter in the history of MMA.
Why motorsport is leading the way on sustainability and data, according to Karun Chandhok
Karun Chandhok is one of only two Indian drivers ever to compete in Formula 1, a milestone that underscores both his skill and his influence in global motorsport.
In this exclusive interview with the London Keynote Speakers Agency, Chandhok shares his views on how electric vehicles and hybrid technologies are reshaping motorsport, the sustainability lessons offered by Formula E, and how data and artificial intelligence are driving competitive advantage at the highest levels of racing.
NBA news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown and the MVP favourites after Nikola Jokic’s injury
While he remains in first place on the MVP ladder, Nikola Jokic suffered a knee injury against the Miami Heat in December and is reported to be out until the end of January.
The Serbian’s absence has allowed other leading players in the league to make a worthy claim for the MVP award, with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hitting form at the perfect time.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Finn Littlewood takes a look at the contenders in what is turning out to be an unpredictable MVP race.
Golf news: Brooks Koepka makes statement return to PGA Tour after four years with LIV Golf
American golfer Brooks Koepka has made a statement return to the PGA Tour after a four-year stint with LIV Golf.
The move comes after the PGA instituted a new Returning Member Program that allows players who have been away from the American circuit for at least two years and have won The Players Championship or a major between 2022 and 2025 to return. Koepka is the only LIV member to return to the PGA thus far.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Finn Littlewood considers what Koepka’s decision means for the future of the Saudi-backed tour.
The greatest horses owned by JP McManus in British & Irish National Hunt racing
Billionaire owner JP McManus started 2026 by appointing former champion jockey Harry Cobden as his retained rider from May.
It’s certainly a bold statement from McManus, filling a role that hasn’t been taken since Barry Geraghty retired in 2020. And before that, AP McCoy held the position, so Cobden has huge boots to fill. There is also a slew of top-class horses for him to mount.
Here, Sports News Blitz reveals the greatest JP McManus horses to shine at the Cheltenham Festival, Aintree, Punchestown and beyond.
MMA news: Is the UFC building Paddy Pimblett’s star power with easy fights?
Paddy Pimblett is a controversial figure within the MMA community, with some seeing him as the UFC’s next massive star. However, since his clash with Tony Ferguson, his resume has left a lot to be desired.
This resume includes King Green, Michael Chandler and now Justin Gaethje.
It is starting to feel like the UFC is giving Pimblett fighters who are past their prime with massive star power to build his credibility and boost his status easily, writes Sports News Blitz’s Cameron Cleugh.
NBA news: Trae Young trade to Washington Wizards sparks NBA deadline speculation
With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, Trae Young’s move to Washington has the potential to set off a chain reaction across the league.
Last season, the NBA was rocked by one of the most eye-catching regular-season trades in recent memory, with the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis.
With just under a month remaining until the trade deadline, the league has now seen its first major move of the season, as Trae Young heads to the Washington Wizards in a deal involving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Will teams look to make their own moves after Young’s mega move? Sports News Blitz writer Lorenzo Gagliotta finds out more.
Soccer news: Liverpool, Man City or Spain? Where next for Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso’s sudden departure from Real Madrid has sparked immediate speculation, with several European heavyweights now monitoring his next move.
Real Madrid, despite being the most successful club in Champions League history and one of the biggest sporting institutions in the world, are not known for their patience, something Alonso discovered on Monday.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at what could be next for Alonso, with a return to one of his former playing sides a possibility.
Cricket news: Time for change? Evaluating Brendon McCullum as England head coach
England’s rapid Ashes defeat in Australia has reignited debate over Brendon McCullum’s leadership and whether Bazball is delivering enough results at the highest level.
The ‘Bazball’ approach has undoubtedly transformed English cricket, bringing an exciting and aggressive brand of play. The question now is whether it has delivered the results many expected.
Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Howson offers his thoughts.
Wrestling news: Drew McIntyre changes the WrestleMania picture as WWE champion
With WrestleMania season underway, Drew McIntyre’s surprise WWE title win has opened the door to fresh challengers and unexpected storylines.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu discusses what McIntyre’s win means with WrestleMania season looming.
Horse racing news: Who will replace Harry Cobden as Paul Nicholls’ retained rider?
Former champion jockey Harry Cobden will become JP McManus’ number one jockey in Britain and Ireland from May.
Sports News Blitz’s racing expert, Kieran McHugh, explores the question on many people’s minds - who will replace him at Ditcheat?
Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble go head-to-head as Ka Ying Rising returns
Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble have both been entered for the HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Stewards' Cup (1 mile/1600m), while superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising is set to return in the G1 HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (6f/1200m) on 25 January at Sha Tin.
How Manchester City’s January transfers could shape their February push
Manchester City is heading into February with a common set of problems. It needs to fight on multiple fronts while seeking marginal gains that will determine its chances of a trophy.
This includes a tight Premier League race, domestic cups in play, and the European season.
Pep Guardiola’s side will therefore use the January transfer window to fine-tune the team further.
They will especially focus on strengthening depth, addressing emerging weaknesses, and maintaining high competition across the squad.
In this article, we’ll cover those transfers.
Premier League news: Caretaker or contender – Manchester United’s latest managerial dilemma
One week on from Ruben Amorim’s departure, Manchester United once again find themselves searching for short-term stability amid long-term uncertainty.
With the season itself unravelling, the Red Devils are expected to appoint a caretaker manager until the summer, writes Sports News Blitz’s Alex Rhodes.
FA Cup news: Winners and losers from the third round as Macclesfield upset holders Crystal Palace
The FA Cup delivered another classic weekend of football, once again showcasing the magic of multi-tier clashes.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens breaks down the winners and losers from the third round.